Bodyfarm – “Ultimate Abomination” Album Review

Dutch old-school death metal maestros Bodyfarm deliver a fine fifth full length album.

I’ve had this album to hand since its release back in February, but its never too late to get a review in – especially when its a bloody good un like this!

Now, I shall just like to clarify that the album title is not referring to Pugs – (They are truly the Ultimate Abomination) – But more regarding the killing machine that graces the cover. First big thumbs up is this fantastic bit of artwork. It aptly sets the scene in the mind’s eye for what is to come musically!

Since their first release (Bodyfarm EP) back in 2010, Bodyfarm has stuck by a classic old-school European death metal sound. Fuzzed-up guitars, solid D-Beat drums, and LOTS of groove. However, they have now refined any rough edges they had, to deliver a sonically powerful album that offers the listener much enjoyment.

Ten tracks of toe-tapping, head nodding goodness…

No long-winded intro for the first track of ten here. “Torment” hits straight into the riff, dragging you along into an Entombed-esque bounce that almost had me crippling myself (I’ll spare you the details..). Keeping the pace and headbanging riffs and rhythms going “Symbolical Warfare” again delivers hard and well. Here we can experience some of the more refined elements that Bodyfarm has developed over the years. Fine melodies that do not tone the aggression down add to the appeal here.

With a squeal of feedback and fuzz, “The Wicked Red” kicks in with a punkish riff, that heralds a slightly slower pace than the previous two tracks. It’s still very much a DM song though, as the vicious vocal delivery of Ralph De Boer will convince you. From here we race into some “Blasting Tyranny“, fast paced and brutal. If you are into bands like Thanatos, Asphyx, Entrails, Etc this one is definitely for you

Our first track with an actual intro is up next. Bowed cellos, dripping with misery lead us into “The Swamp“. It won’t surprise you to find this track has a much doomier feel to it, much like the aforementioned Asphyx are so good at. It’s also the longest track we have here at just over six and a half minutes – none of it boring! After that it’s time to up the speed again and start “Carving Repentance“. I love a track that grips you by the collar and drags you along with it, and this one does it in spades.

A title that sums up most of the world’s governments…

Yep – that is what I’d call an “Empire of Iniquity” and this passage from the lyrics says it:

“Indoctrination under duress, Shredded memories declared. Gullible hypnosis, Hail Empire’s command“

This is one of the slower-paced tracks we have on this delightful platter, and it is not lacking in ferocity because of that. A very satisfying one to listen to. Next up and kicking off with a biting guitar tone and riff, “Soul Damnation” is classic Dutch old-school filth – just the way we like it (well I do!)

Penultimate track “Sacrilege of The Fallen” has a surprisingly blackened opening half, with quite a swing to it (listen to it, and you’ll get what I mean). The second half is back to what Bodyfarm do best, with a cracking riff and rhythm, that will definitely get your head banging into the final track.

“Charlatan Messiah” is a re-working of a track off the first full length release “Malevolence“, which incidentally was my favourite track off that album. The fantastic production of this album, along with the experience of this line up (Bram Hilhorst being the only member to have remained a constant in the group) make for a very pleasing version, and superb finale to this work.

The final words…

If you’re looking for something groundbreaking and experimental, then this is not the album for you. BUT if like me you cannot get enough of this kind of OSDM, then get off your arse and buy it! Bodyfarm may not have redesigned the wheel, but by crikey they have made a superb album. It is far from being an Ultimate Abomination!

Track listing

01 – Torment (3:30)

02 – Symbolical Warfare (4:45)

03 – The Wicked Red (5:18)

04 – Blasting Tyranny (3:47)

05 – The Swamp (6:34)

06 – Carving Repentance (4:57)

07 – Empre of Iniquity (3:49)

08 – Soul Damnation (3:49)

09 – Sacrilege of The Fallen – (3:31)

10 – Charlatan Messiah – (3:32)

Line up

Bram Hilhorst – Guitars, Ralph De Boer – Bass & Vocals, Alex Seegers – Guitars, David Schermann – Drums

Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bodyfarmdeathmetal/

Official Merch: https://bodyfarm.bigcartel.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bodyfarm_official/